Editor's note: Due to the countywide travel warning restricting travel to emergency vehicles only, the Brown County Democrat newsroom is a network of kitchen tables today. We'll update this document throughout the day with news about the winter storm and when life might get back to normal. Send questions, comments and closings to newsroom@bcdemocrat.com.

Brown County did not get buried under snow over the weekend, but steady rain, plumetting temperatures and bitter wind did not make Monday very pleasant.

Just after daylight, Brown County Dispatch reported that a woman flagged down an Indiana Department of Transportation truck on 46 East because her car and house keys and cell phone were locked in her vehicle. Turns out, the door wasn't locked. The door was just frozen shut, the assisting officer reported.

At 9 a.m., it was -6 degrees out. On the police scanner, state workers were talking about diesel fuel turning to gel.

Brown County Highway plow drivers were being allowed six hours of rest on rotating shifts, according to radio traffic. They'd been out much of the weekend clearing slush first, then snow overnight.

Brown County Emergency Management Agency Director Sara Vasquez declared a travel warning Sunday night. Travel was restricted to emergency vehicles only until further notice. If power outages were widespread, she told Brown County dispatch that warming stations might be opened.

As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Duke Energy was reporting two outages in Brown County. South Central REMC showed 120, most in Hamblen and Jackson townships.

Brown County Schools classes weren't scheduled to resume from Christmas break until Tuesday. No word has been received about any school delays yet.

11 a.m. UPDATE:

Highway Superintendent Roger Cline said crews have been working around the clock to clear roads, but a combination of rain, then snow, followed by extreme cold temperatures has presented major hurdles.

The roads have been plowed and crews continue to push back drifting snow, but the roads remain covered with packed ice, most of which cannot be broken up because salt stops working once temperatures dip below 15 degrees.

Cline said they are applying sand to hills for traction, but until temperatures warm, many Brown County roads will remain slick and hazardous. Using salt in sub-freezing temps would be a waste of money, he said.

The temperature as of Monday morning was well below zero. Forecasts are not calling for temperatures to rise to near freezing until Wednesday and Thursday.

Another challenge has been keeping roads cleared of trees. Cline said Bear Creek Road was the worst, but wind and the weight of snow and ice has caused debris to fall in roadways throughout the county.

Sunday’s rain resulted in some flooding. Cline said there is a high-water sign on Orchard Hill Road.

About a third of the county’s gravel roads had been treated with additional gravel as of Monday morning. That work continues.

Cline urges folks to stay home if at all possible. Besides the danger, driving on the roads in these conditions complicates treatment by further packing the ice. He also asked for patience from the public. He promised an all-out effort to clear roads over the next two to three days. “Things just don’t work when it’s this cold,” he said.

11:51 a.m. UPDATE:

In spite of the weather, some stores, restaurants and services are open today.

Shopworth IGA: Owner Diana Biddle, who is currently manning the store by herself, says the store will remain open until at least 6 p.m. Some of the secondary services are closed, like the pizza kitchen and the deli.

Brown County IGA: Manager Bruce Tuxhorn reports the store is closed due to the travel warning. It also is short on several essential items, including bread and eggs. The store did receive a milk delivery this morning, but will likely be closed until at least Tuesday, possibly longer, he said.

CVS: According to employee Abby Snyder, the store will be open regular hours, until 10 p.m. The store is currently out of milk. The pharmacy will remain open until 9 p.m.

Circle K: According to employee Lacy Percifield, the Circle K on State Road 46 between Nashville and Gnaw Bone is open 24 hours a day and will remain open. The Circle K in downtown Nashville will be open until 10 p.m.

Speedway: The store is open on its regular, 24-hour schedule. An employee reported the company paid for in-town hotel lodging for a staff member to ensure the store would remain open. Its milk supply is down to skim.

BP: The store is open, but co-owner Vicki Payne said it may close early. Its attached restaurants, Broaster Chicken and Noble Roman's, are open and serving.

The Spot (Spurgeon's Corner): Owner Penny Ahrmann says the store near the Brown-Jackson county line will officially open at 4 p.m., but in case of an emergency, she can be contacted at 812-318-0809. The store has six loaves of bread left, milk, eggs, butter, cigarettes and hot coffee. Ahrmann will also be making pizzas for pickup, and sandwiches.

Needmore Grocery: The store on State Road 45 in Trevlac will be open until 7 p.m. It is stocked with most essentials including bread, milk, eggs and butter.

McDonald's: The restaurant is currently open, but might close by 1 p.m. due to staff shortages.

Subway: The restaurant is open and serving its full menu. However, the management team is evaluating conditions and might close the store later this afternoon.

Big Woods: Big Woods Brewery is closed, but the pizzeria is open regular hours until8 p.m.

Unable to contact: Calls to the following stores have not been answered, so it is unclear whether they are open: Crouch's Market, Helmsburg General Store.

Brown County Tire: According to co-owner Debbie Guffey, Brown County Tire is currently offering wrecker service, but the shop is closed. Wait times depend on location.

Al's Garage and Wrecker Service: According to office assistant Annette Jones, the garage will be closing atnoon. However, the wrecker service is 24 hours and will be running without interruption.

Mother's Cupboard: Daily food service and grocery pickup are canceled, according to a report on the food pantry's Facebook page. There is no word yet on when services will resume as normal.

1:39 p.m. UPDATE:

Brown County Schools students will get at least another day of break, Superintendent David Shaffer reports. Tuesday classes have been called off because of the extreme cold and slippery roads.

2:13 p.m. UPDATE:

Brown County Emergency Management Agency Director Sara Vasquez reported Monday afternoon that poor road conditions continue. The travel status will remain at the warning level through tonight. That means only emergency personnel such as police and medics should be on the “treacherous” ice-covered roads, she said, many of which are only one lane.

“Our county is still shut down,” she said.

Vasquez said the travel status will be reevaluated Tuesday morning, when it might be reduced to a watch. That will depend on temperatures. When they extremely low, available road treatment options do not work well, she said.

Vasquez said county offices will be closed again Tuesday.

Brown County experienced power outages as a result of the snow storm. Vasquez said most of those were short-lived and have since been resolved. Duke Energy reported three outages as of 1:35 p.m. Monday.

As of 1:17 p.m., Monday, SCI REMC had a total of 6,830 members in its seven-county service area without power. Customer Sandy Justin reported she'd had no power in the Country Club Road area since 11 p.m. Sunday.

Many of the outages have been caused by snow that has built up on the lines and turned to ice, said REMC's Maura Giles.

"We are working as quickly as possible, while maintaining the safety of our line crews in these freezing temperatures. It will likely be a day or two before everyone in our service territory has power again," Giles said in a press release.

Vasquez said there have been no requests for a shelter to be open, and one will likely not be opened. If someone does need services, they are encouraged to call 911 or contact Vasquez on her cell phone at (812) 360-4362. Vasquez said people in need will be handled on a case-by-case basis. She assured that if assistance is needed, it will be provided.

Vasquez urged people to stay home, not only for their own safety but to allow state and county highway workers to do their jobs of clearing roads.

3:41 p.m. UPDATE:

According to emergency radio, Brown County Highway Department workers will clock out at 8 p.m., then be back in to hit the roads again at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.